Earlier this week I posted about IL Senate Bill 3075 and how if signed, it would turn all civil jury trials into 6-person jury trials, with no right to request a 12-person jury. It looks like Christmas came early for us defense folk but unfortunately, we were all given coal. Today…

Breaking News! Illinois is moving from 12-person to 6-person civil juries. On December 9, 2014, the Illinois House passed IL Senate Bill 3075. If signed by the governor, the bill will revise the Code of Civil Procedure so that all civil jury trials use 6, rather than 12, person juries. …

Sally slipped and fell on the ever problematic banana peel that was dropped on the floor by a little kid having a snack. Unfortunately for Sally, her wrist is broken and she needs surgery. When a customer is injured on your property, your checklist of things to do while setting up the…

When a shooting resulting in injuries occurs on your property, time is of the essence. You must assume the injuries will be significant, if not deadly. The time to start planning your defense is before the shooting even takes place. Like any good civil defense attorney, I believe you…

It’s that time of year again – snowmen, ice skating, reindeer – and of course, slip and falls on snow, ice and water. Now that winter is upon us, it’s time for a little refresher course in our beloved natural accumulation doctrine. To anyone handling claims in Illinois, or any…

The most important and impactful analysis you can make in a premises liability case is whether there was constructive notice of the defect that allegedly injured the claimant/plaintiff. Therefore, it is imperative that all businesses understand how constructive notice is proven and all claims examiners must know how to analyze…

No matter what your company’s philosophy regarding the Concealed Carry laws, you need to know the facts, and more importantly, recognize the potential liabilities. Every national retailer, restaurant chain and hospitality company must comply with different state laws across the country and develop policies and procedures in response to those…

Every retailer, restaurant and hospitality company doing business in the U.S. must accept the fact that guns are being brought onto their property. The concealed/open carry gun laws are changing and evolving at record speed. As of now, all 50 states and Washington DC allow at least some people to carry a…